Commanding England Thrash South Africa in Global Tournament Opener

ICC Women's World Cup, Indian venue

South Africa 69 (20.4 overs): Top scorer 22 (36); Spinner 3-7

English team 73-0 (14.1 overs): Jones 40* (50), Partner 21* (35)

England won by a perfect margin

England bowled South Africa out for a paltry 69 as they began their campaign victoriously to their global tournament campaign with a dominant comprehensive victory in the host city.

Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith was the standout performer with 3-7, dismissing key batters of captain, top-order batter Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Jafta was the sole player to score above ten in a dismal batting performance which saw the Proteas dismissed for their one of their lowest scores in under 21 overs.

Captain Sciver-Brunt took two wickets in her first competitive bowling spell since the Ashes, while spinners Ecclestone and Charlie Dean also picked up two wickets apiece.

Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont then easily chased the total in 14.1 overs, having begun carefully on a difficult pitch, finishing with their respective scores.

Following earlier setbacks and series defeats against India, the team needed a strong start to their first major challenge under new leadership.

They delivered with a statement win, crushing their below-par opponents which was brilliantly initiated by the spinner leading the way, and the rest followed suit.

The pace bowler had the challenging role of opening the bowling in tough conditions and gave away early runs, but Smith quickly regained control as the captain chipped the ball straight back.

She was relentless with her consistency and was successful by bowling the key batter and experienced player with balls that drifted through their defences.

There was a question mark over Sciver-Brunt bowling fitness, but she immediately silenced those doubts with Bosch trapped lbw.

The Proteas only managed six boundaries, with Jafta hitting three, but their hopes ended when de Klerk was well caught at slip.

South Africa's performance was indicative of an inconsistent batting surface, but England's openers showed careful approach to demonstrate scoring was feasible.

Pursuing a small target meant that their net run-rate would be boosted irrespective of how hard they attacked, and there were minimal chances as they negotiated the seasoned bowler.

Part-time spinner the all-rounder opened from the other end, implying the team were realizing an error with their selection.

The opening pair paired again and began strongly with back-to-back stands earlier, so a 10-wicket win is a welcome boost of confidence for the pair.

She was not at her best, below her usual standard on the uneven surface, but she was able to rein in her attacking instincts by keeping the scoreboard ticking.

With India and Australia as pre-tournament favourites, it is likely that the rest of the group stages will see key teams battling for knockout places.

Slow bowler and player of the match Linsey Smith: "I'm very pleased with how we did. Starting the attack was a tough challenge but the pitch helped me and I am proud I did well."

"We have great ability in the squad. We all offer different parts of the game so we can keep improving and developing as a team."

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt: "Massively pleased. Everyone was really on it in the field. A early breakthroughs as well. A captain's dream."

"Linsey Smith stuck to her strengths. She can swing the ball and we knew she was a good match-up. It was very important to break that opening partnership."

Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt: "It is not the way we wanted to start the tournament."

"We underperformed with the bat but we have not changed overnight. We have shown resilience before and we will put this behind us."